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Alan King is a husband, father, and artist, who lives with his family in Bowie, MD. He is the author of Crooked Smiling Light (Plan B Press, 2021); Point Blank (Silver Birch Press, 2016), a Washington Post bestseller; and Drift (Aquarius Press/Willow Books, 2012). He’s also an award-winning documentary filmmaker and poet. 

As a staff writer for the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper, King often out-scooped the Baltimore Sun when covering housing and the Baltimore City Council. His three-part series on East Baltimore’s redevelopment and the displaced residents brought together stakeholders (community leaders, elected officials, and developers) to work out a plan that gave vulnerable residents a role in helping to build up the city’s blighted neighborhoods.

During a trip to Kingston, Jamaica, King introduced AFRO readers to the island’s rich history by highlighting its national heroes such as Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley. Additionally, his historic pieces from slavery to emancipation helped his readers understand the significance of the island’s 47th Independence Day celebration.

As a research assistant at the Center for Public Integrity, a government watchdog organization of investigative journalists, King helped compile examples of corruption for The Buying of the Presidency 2008 book.

King is a visiting author for Pen Faulkner’s Writers-in-Schools program, helping to inspire the next generation of readers and writers. Through Pen Faulkner, his visits, as one teacher puts it, helps young people “see literature as it happens, rather than as it happened in history.”

King’s honors include fellowships from Cave (cah-veh) Canem (cah-nem) and Voices of Our Nations Arts (VONA) Foundation, three Pushcart Prize nominations as well as three nominations for Best of the Net selection.

He’s a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Low-Residency Program at the University of Southern Maine. His poems and short stories appear in various literary journals, magazines and were featured on public radio.

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28 thoughts on “About”

  2. Hey Alan, I stopped through to check out your blog and have to say it’s impressive! Your layout is sleek and your writing is really good. The quality is high and it’s enjoyable to read. You stopped by my blog(digitalsoulexperience) and I wanted to come check you out. I’m glad I did. I like the young, creative, intellectual slant I’m sensing from the blog. Keep doing it bruh. – Martin

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  3. Hi, Alan. You left a comment on my blog several weeks ago, and I just found it in my spam filter. I wanted to say thanks. Now that I’ve seen it–and your blog–I will be reading more…

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  4. Hi Alan,
    I discovered your blog through Bloggy Award and I just wanted to let you know I had a great time. I hope I can visit often; also published a review. Have a good one!

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  5. Hi, Alan! This is a great blog! Your activism is noble and I hope that the Internet will continue to connect us in a way that leads to a more harmonious way of life. I’m working on using Social Networking as a way to keep foster youth connected to one another and resources available to them. Check out our blog (lifeskillslamc.tumblr.com), still in its nascent stage and our social networking site (youthscoop.ning.com).

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  6. Hi Alan! I love the focus of your blog. I hope interest spreads.
    I recently helped the Mott Foundation with a project to promote its grantees in South Africa during the World Cup. Community leaders are blogging daily about the country’s past and future. Their raw insights hopefully are giving game followers a sense of the people, issues and needs in South Africa. Please check out the blog and let me know what you think – or spread the word.
    blog.mott.org
    Thanks,
    Robyn

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    1. Robyn, thanks so much for stopping through the blog! I will definitely check you out and spread the word.

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  7. I love the look and layout of your blog. Easy on the eyes and even easier/fun to navigate. Congrats on your successes and I will be checking back!

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  8. Excellent blog and a wealth of poetry for me to sink my teeth into
    Kreativ Blogger Award

    by Strongheart

    Kreativ Blogger Award

    (Presented to fellow bloggers, by fellow bloggers, for interesting and quality blogs of all genres.)

    Rules of Acceptance

    When the award is accepted, there are certain rules to follow.

    Thank the blogger who presented me with the award.

    Post a photo of the award.

    Share ten things about me that my readers don’t know.

    Choose six people to present this award to. Definition: Pay it Forward.

    Let the six bloggers know they have been awarded (and make their day too)!

    Reply

  9. Yess! I’ve stumbled across a respected poet, teacher, journalist, and a Washingtonian. How good does it get? Your work is inspiring. I’m looking forward to keeping up with you. Don’t leave D.C., we need you!

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I was very excited seeing your comment this morning. Thank you for reading and subscribing to the blog 🙂

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  10. Hey Alan,

    I just discovered that you created a link to my blog. Thanks!! I really appreciate it. I’m lovin’ you site.

    Keep up the great work,

    Chandra Roxanne aka “Mechia Browne”

    Reply

  11. Hey, Alan — just had to check out your blog and am really glad I did. Terrific stuff. I’m looking forward to following your posts. And who knows? Some day, maybe we can meet for a beer — me in my VW van and you in a restored 1995 Cressida. Until then, cheers 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks! I love your stuff, too. I’ll hold you to that beer (ginger beer, though; not a drinker). Thanks, again. Can’t wait for your next post.

      Reply

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